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A lifesaving innovation by a bright young Bahrain electrical engineer has been recognised by industry experts for its potential in portability and cost savings.
Zahra Almukhariq developed a portable spirometer for her final project at Bahrain Polytechnic and has been looking at ways it can be adapted during a Covid-19 situation.
“One of the standard tests conducted in hospitals to measure the lung functions is called the spirometry test using a device called the spirometer,” the 24-year-old explained.
“The spirometer is a clinical device that is used to measure the amount of air that a patient can inhale and exhale during the respiratory function as well as the flow rate.
“The aim of this project was to design, build and test a prototype of a portable spirometer that can be used to measure the lung volume and air flow rate.
“The device can also be used to monitor the patient’s health status, especially after surgery and intensive medical treatment.
“Data obtained from the device can also be used for future reference when diagnosing certain lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma by comparing the recorded data to the expected levels of function.”
While spirometers have been used in medicine for decades, Zahra made her device unique by building a ‘smart’ version of it that can easily record data either on an SD memory card or transmit it by Bluetooth to a mobile device.
She integrated a pressure sensor into a mouthpiece which functions as a venturi tube – a pipe through which a fluid, or in this case, a long exhale of air flows through, creating a unique flowmeter.
Users enter their CPR number on the attached keypad, and after the CPR is authenticated, they blow through the flowmeter.
LED lights and the LCD screen covey the status of the test and all recorded data can be downloaded.
Normally spirometers can cost as much as $2,000 (BD754), but the total cost of Zahra’s device is under $200 (BD75).
Another prescient aspect of the creation is its modular design. Although Covid-19 was not a reality when she originally conceived and created the spirometer, it can easily be adapted to the new normal, beyond helping detect difficulty in breathing, which can be one of the symptoms of the disease.
“We are currently working on ways to enhance the design and boost accuracy, she explained. “To deal with current concerns about sanitisation, the mouthpiece, which is already a separate part, can be made changeable, so every patient gets their own.”
The young inventor has been featured for her design in multiple news outlets since she created the device and is now working with Fab Lab Bahrain to put together a team to further improve it.
She was originally drawn to the idea since she wanted to combine her love of technology with her desire to help people.
“My father, Abdulhadi Almukhariq, was always a hands-on ‘maker’ type personality and inspired me to become a tinkerer myself,” she said.
“I studied science in high school, focusing on physics and maths. And, when we got to the final project, I saw the value in creating a computerised-solution which can help people better understand their health.”
She has taken on a full-time job as a production engineer but is determined to keep developing this project to make it a viable option for hospitals and lung patients in the region and internationally.
